Can Kittens Spray?

A feline behaviorist explains why female kittens might spray.

Q: My spayed female kitten is in isolation from my resident cat until she recovers from an illness. Recently, the cats were clawing on opposite sides of the door, and the kitten sprayed! I don't want this to happen when I introduce the two cats. What do I do?

Feline behaviorist Pam Johnson-Bennett, author of Think Like a Cat, says:It's not common for a young cat to spray but this kitty was clearly fearful. Spraying is not just done to mark territory, it is a highly complex form of communication and a young kitty who is just beginning to understand how her body works can certainly use spraying behavior when in a threatened position.

You're going to have to use lots of TLC when doing this introduction. Go at a snail's pace and keep things as positive, casual and secure for both cats as possible.

Hi, I just got a kitten about 2 weeks ago. She is 13 weeks and is litter box trained. She has been as curious and as playful as kittens should be. For the past couple of nights I have woken up to her spray on my bed comforter. I have only had cats in the past spraying on walls or doors but never on the bed.

lisa n lincs, NY

7/13/2008 7:24:46 AM

do kittens have a period,,,,,,dont khow wat it would be called for a kitten ???

Zimmama Tucson, AZ

5/22/2008 8:21:05 PM

I have two adult cats, ages 3 and 5, male and female, and I have never had any problems with either of them urinating anywhere but in the litter box. I have a new kitten that couldn't be more than twelve weeks old. We took him from the humane society. It seems he might be spraying to prove himself to the older cats. I've only caught him twice in two weeks. But one of my older cats clued me into a corner that he likes to use :) Who knows where he's peeing when we're gone?!?! I hope this doesn't continue to be a problem.

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